Hundreds of people have cast their vote for the 2024 Cumbria Food Awards.
The much-anticipated awards, held in association with headline sponsor Caterite, have attracted more than 460 entries and nominations in just under two weeks.
The county’s only awards dedicated to the food and drink industry will take place at Kendal College on Thursday March 14, 2024.
The host will be the TV presenter, star of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, chef and restaurateur, Simon Rimmer.
Simon will announce the winners of 15 awards, including Café of the Year, Casual Dining Venue of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Food Producer of the Year and a new award for Service of the Year, to recognise front of house heroes.
The independent awards are organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson.
Harry said: “We’re really pleased to have received so many entries and nominations already for the 2024 Cumbria Food Awards.
“It shows how much people value our hospitality industry and the hard-working stars of our food and drink sector in Cumbria. There’s still plenty of time to make a nomination or put forward your own business. Go to the website to make sure your favourites don’t miss out.”
The awards are returning to Kendal College, one of the country’s leading providers of hospitality training, for the third year.
Students at the college will cook and serve canapés for a networking reception, followed by a two-course dinner for more than 150 finalists, sponsors and guests – including the cream of the county’s hospitality sector – before the winners are announced.
The independent panel of industry experts who will judge the awards has been confirmed and details can be found on the CFA website.
We are Cumbria Food Awards media partner and Simon Rogan is the event’s patron.
Independent northern grocer Booths is kindly supplying the ingredients for canapés. Sponsors are: Academy by Simon Rogan; Cranstons; Enterprise Answers; Grapevine; Hawkshead Relish; Herdwick Cottages; Lamont Pridmore; More? The Artisan Bakery; Spinning Jennies and Thomson Hayton Winkley.
The nominations and entries will be taken into account by the judges when compiling the shortlists. The judges will visit the finalists before deciding on their winners. To make a nomination or enter the Cumbria Food Awards go to www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
